Some Philadelphia bred groups for you.  The hometown bursts with talent and gets little to no press. First, Arc In Round . Juan Edgardo Rodriguez , the managing editor of No Ripcord, sent me a song and the band's self-titled album a few weeks ago.  While I haven't been able to completely absorb the album yet, (been listening to two or three other albums for upcoming reviews), the band's single, "Hallowed" , I really enjoyed.  There's a shoegazing, pop-infused bounce to the song I find very engaging. <p><a href="http://arcinround.bandcamp.com/album/arc-in-round">Arc in Round by Arc In Round</a></p> I will, at some point, listen to the entire album, which was released June 26th. ____________________________________________________________ Next is Ape School , who will be releasing a new album later this August called, Junior Viole

Existential Vietnam film meets 70s exploitation cinema tactics meets potty mouth Tyler, The Creator . oddfuture.com Info, poster and link provided by Life or Death PR & Management. Directed by Wolf Haley and featuring himself, Domo Genesis and Lee Spielman of Trash Talk , Manface , Lionel "L-Boy" Boyce , Brick Stowell and Lucas Vercetti , the film will feature an original score composed by Tyler, The Creator . Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Not that I'm one to normally promote anything Rolling Stone related, but "Watch The Corners," the first single from Dinosaur Jr. 's upcoming new album, I Bet On Sky , can be found at rollingstone.com .  There's an interview, too.  Info comes courtesy of Jagjaguwar. Stream Dinosaur Jr.'s "Watch The Corners" from I Bet On Sky Read New J Mascis Interview At Rolling Stone  photo by Brantley Gutierre "Watch The Corners," the first single from Dinosaur Jr.'s upcoming album I Bet On Sky , premiered this morning at RollingStone.com along with an interview with J Mascis . The new single starts out with chugging riffs that ease into Mascis' vocals, and properly closes with a shredding solo. Wedged in the middle of the tune is an atypical breakdown with a brief flash of acoustic guitar. "I always liked that since I was a kid, from like, Black Sabbath ," Mascis says. " Suddenly they go into acoustic, back into

I'm grooving on "Violence Now" by Milk Music .  All info provided by Life or Death PR & Management. MILK MUSIC SET TO EMBARK ON NATIONAL TOUR THIS JULY, INCLUDING PITCHFORK FESTIVAL HEAR A NEW SONG "VIOLENCE NOW" BEYOND LIVING AVAILABLE DIGITALLY FOR THE 1st TIME EVER DOWNLOAD THEIR SET FROM PRIMAVERA VIA WFMU Olympia, WA's cult rock and roll band Milk Music are about to embark on a full US tour in July, including a stop at Pitchfork Festival. Today, the band are sharing a new/old track to celebrate the tour. "Violence Now" originally appeared on a very small run of flexi discs as a split effort with Carrie Keith of Gun Outfit . They were included with an issue of the Olympia based NUTS! Fanzine. If you didn't have a friend who was in the know, or were already familiar with NUTS!, chances are you didn't get one. You can hear the dirty, fuzzed out anthem right now, released digitally for the first time. MP3: "Vio

"I Shall Not Be Moved" is the new single from Public Enemy 's upcoming new album, Most of My Heroes Still Don't Appear On No Stamp , which is available digitally on July 4th. Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

The legendary Eyehategod has announced touring dates through Europe and the tour is to be called "Europe Is The New Vietnam Tour."  For the sake of enhancing what is mostly meant to list some dates, a live clip of a new Eyehategod song, "Medicine Noose," was provided. All info is courtesy of Earsplit PR.  EYEHATEGOD Announce Europe Is The New Vietnam Tour 2012 EYEHATEGOD, Louisiana’s favorite purveyors of hardcore, blues-based, unrepentant, post-amplificated dirge, will head to Europe this Summer to further spread their audio message of discontent. The caravan of decadence and debauchery begins July 20 at Serengeti Festival 2012 in Stukenbrock, Germany and will pillage its way through 19 cities, leaving in its wake nothing but broken glass and hurt feelings. Commented frontman Mike Williams of the latest rampage: “In this wonderful End-Time era of 2012, New Orleans’ only 'Brotherhood of the Pharmaceutical Probation System,' EYEHATEGOD, are once agai

Woods is releasing a new album in September called, Bend Beyond .  A live clip of their single, "I Was Gone," shows the band jamming out psych style, spacing out with effects peddles, displaying that hunched geek rocker, indie-r than thou pose.  "I Was Gone," as much as it provides Woods an opportunity to get lost in a hippie flavored jam session, leans on some nice melodies and enjoys a satisfying level of space addled frenzy. Woods All info comes courtesy of Force Field PR. Woods announces new album, Bend Beyond due this Sept. VIDEO: "I Was Gone" (live) - http://vimeo.com/41898964   We are excited to announce that on September 18th Woods will release their new album, Bend Beyond, on Woodsist Records. A limited 7" featuring the first single will be available on their West Coast tour this August with Peaking Lights , which is centered around the Woodsist Festival in Big Sur on Aug 4th and 5th.   "The foundations of Brooklyn

I've heard Com Truise before and I can't say I've ever been particularly enthusiastic about most varieties of synth/electronic music, though there have been exceptions.  "Open," the first cut from his upcoming new release In Decay , which compiles some of his early, unreleased work, appealed to me.  You get a sense of attention to detail, slow progression and layering of sound, an ideal amount of melody even if it is chilled at its core.  I'm constantly at odds with this sort of one-man computerized tone generation. The plug is inserted, knobs are tweaked, buttons pressed into service, keys prepped for suitable mood...  Music like this just seems too easy to create and most musicians of this ilk sound incapable of taking this type of sound and molding it into something personal.    Anyway, apologies for the digression: I sound like a "back in my day" curmudgeon, which makes no sense considering some of what you hear sounds pretty old school (I thi

Meditative bass metal duo, Om , are releasing their newest album, Advaitic Songs , July 24th on Drag City.  "State Of Non-Return" sees the continued expansion of musical vocabulary that the band expressed on their previous release, 2009's God Is Good , drummer Emil Amos ( Grails ) bringing some of the progressive flare for which he's accustomed to Om's former simplicity.  Singer/bassist Al Cisneros pursues familiarity with his droning vocal, though the expansiveness of previous releases seems missing this time around, percussion strangely reductive, noise levels middled and sort of flat.  I'm enjoying the song itself, but the production seems lacking, which doesn't leave the best impression.  I'll be reviewing Advaitic Songs for No Ripcord at a later date.  In the meantime, give the song a listen. Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

The Hand to Man Band is Mike Watt ( Minutemen , fIREHOSE ), John Dieterich ( Deerhoof ), Tim Barnes ( Silver Jews ) and Thollem McDonas .  Their new album, You Are Always On Our Minds , was released May 22nd via Post-Consumer Records .  A video for the song, "The Down Moveables," is available to disturb and confound.  Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

In 2005, I wrote one of my first online record reviews. At this point, I hadn't even begun Letters From A Tapehead and the notion of investing actual time into music criticism wasn't something I'd considered, but I felt compelled to throw together a lot of paragraphs in the hope that they would maybe attract some curious listeners. The album was Chaos and Creation in the Backyard by Paul McCartney . I'm sure the review wasn't that good, to be honest I don't really remember what I'd written, but after McCartney's slew of so-so albums and the so-so reception most of them received, I was moved by Chaos and Creation , which I felt to be revealing in a way that McCartney hadn't been for some time. His unthreatening demeanor and boyish charm were instrumental in his being an affable public relations face for The Beatles and this ability to smile for the camera has carried into his subsequent project and pursuits, still a warm and welcoming face si

MusicFilmWeb's Music Documentary Monday feature, 6.18. Not a Photograph: The Mission Of Burma Story Directed by Jeffrey Iwanicki and David A. Kleiler Jr. Released: 2006   MusicFilmWeb review Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

90s victims, strap on your Docs, touch-up your tribal ink, reactivate your piercings and pull the flannel out of retirement: Sub Pop has acquired a throwback. The band is called METZ . Check out the teaser. All info comes courtesy of Sub Pop. Sub Pop signs METZ; S/T debut album out October 9th! Summer tour dates include NXNE appearances this weekend! Watch a preview of the METZ album . Sub Pop Records has signed the ferocious Toronto-based trio METZ and will release the band’s debut full-length worldwide on October 9th, 2012. The band has created a concise video piece previewing the album, which is available here . METZ will perform two shows at NXNE in Toronto this weekend: June 15th at Wrongbar, and June 16th at the Phoenix. This will be followed by a one-off show on June 22nd in Seattle at Barboza, and a festival performance on August 3rd in Sackville, NB at Sappyfest. METZ will then head out on a week-long tour, beginning August 24th in Chicago, IL at Bottom Lounge

The Melvins (Lite) Freak Puke Ipecac Recordings Released: 6.5.12 No Ripcord review Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

I gently brushed the dust off of John Coltrane 's First Meditations (For Quartet) this evening.  The needle drops and the effect is instantaneous, a wash of McCoy Tyner 's keys and that sax — always that sax — speaking volumes in impassioned honks and blasts. This was the last recording to emerge from Coltrane's famed quartet, so the beauty is always bittersweet.   Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

A new single from Mount Eerie' s second release for 2012, Ocean Roar , is circulating online.  "Pale Lights" seems consistent with much of what made the recently released Clear Moon stand out, Mr. Mount Eerie himself, Phil Elverum , reveling in light dissonance and folk bred psychedelia.  Release is set for September 4th.  The song, links and all info are provided by Force Field PR. Mount Eerie's Clear Moon was recently reviewed at No Ripcord . Mount Eerie announces second album of 2012, Ocean Roar out this Sept. Companion album to Clear Moon STREAM: "Pale Lights" (excerpt) - http://soundcloud.com/forcefieldpr/mount-eerie-pale-lights/ Mount Eerie is having a big 2012. The month of May saw the release of the critically celebrated Clear Moon which sold out the first pressing almost immediately. June through October are full of shows all over the North American continent (more details on that soon). Constant new singles and reissues fill the

The Chrome Cranks Ain't No Blood in Lies Thick Syrup/Bang! Released: 2012 "I'm trash!/Dead last!/I'm trash!/Fading fast!" This shouted verse from "I'm Trash," first track from Ain't No Blood in Lies , the newest album from reformed 90s pigfuckers The Chrome Cranks , was enough to warm my heart, inspire a smile to crease my cheeks and warrant a full listen.  The gritty un-oiled engine of guitar chords that motor along keep the entirety of Ain't No Blood in Lies in a lovely state of disrepair, the band's commanding assemblage of Cramps ' style punkabilly (especially with "Let It Ring") and Jesus Lizard atonality a heavenly mixture for anyone whose ears respond happily to discord.  "Rubber Rat," with its bass throb and chunky guitar tone, takes advantage of distortion to produce a great payoff and the following "Living/Dead" is just a heavy and straight-up acidic.  "Star To Star" has a gui

This is a promo video for the upcoming new album by Indian Handcrafts , Civil Disobedience For Losers .  The band recently signed to Sargent House after releasing a self-titled, self-financed debut album in 2011.  A single from the album, "Red Action," was granted the gift of video, which you can find here . All info courtesy of Us/Them. Indian Handcrafts post in-studio video for Sargent House album debut, plus tour dates   Click image above to watch video Canadian power-duo Indian Handcrafts have posted an in-studio video -- featuring cameos from some heavy friends -- announcing their forthcoming Sargent House album debut. The Toronto band's sophomore release, Civil Disobedience For Losers was recorded in Los Angeles back in March with engineer Toshi Kasai ( Melvins, Big Business, Red Sparowes ). The album will be released in Fall 2012. The clip features the album track "Terminal Horse". Watch teaser video HERE .   Indian Handcrafts also take to

Dinosaur Jr. will be releasing a new album in September called, I Bet On Sky .  J Mascis is one busy, busy man.  Thinking about all he did last year touring with Dino and the various projects he pursued, which included his highly enjoyable solo album Several Shades Of Why , the subsequent tour to support the release and then his recent Heavy Blanket project, it's staggering how productive he's been.  Still delivering on quality, though, which is really what matters. No singles available yet.  All info, links and dates are courtesy of Jagjaguwar. Dinosaur Jr. Returns With I Bet On Sky September 18th North American Tour Dates This Fall photo by Brantley Gutierrez "There is nothing quite like a Dinosaur Jr. album. The best ones are always recognizable from the first notes. And even though J tries to trip us up by smearing “Don’t Pretend You Didn’t Know” with keyboards, it’s clear from the moment he starts his vocals that this is the one and only Dinosaur Jr.,

Today, I had the opportunity to preview the new Ihsahn album, Eremita .  Loud and aggressive, a shrieking monster that exhibits remarkably crafted songs.  It was exciting to listen to. The single, "Introspection," is not my favorite cut on the album, as it sounds rather reserved next to a lot of what goes on during Eremita .  But, I believe it'll get you in the door, as singles do.  "Introspection" was made available at the end of May at Guitar World , so I'm a little late with my acknowledgment. "The Paranoid," however, is pretty awesome.  Sample below.   All info below comes courtesy of Earsplit PR. IHSAHN: New Track Stream Available Via Guitar World Today Guitarworld.com hosts the exclusive premiere of IHSAHN’s “Introspection,” the third track off the legendary vocalist/guitarist’s forthcoming new full-length, Eremita . Set for release on June 19 via Candlelight Records, the nine-track opus was recorded and produced at Telemark

Synth band, Led Er Est , have a new video for their single, "Kaiyo Maru."  In effort to appeal to both nostalgia and irony the video for this track is awful in the way most 80s videos are: directionless and random, the bands cheaply filmed, miming their songs while cast in the strangest situations.  The song, though, I could get into.  Although Led Er Est seems another band riding a nostalgia wave, goth synth that sounds as though it'd been pulled from FM radio thirty years ago, I like what this band comes up with.  I get caught up in their melodies and I've grown somewhat of a sucker for electronically induced, New Wave darkness. Their new album, The Diver , was released May 8th.  All info below comes courtesy of Life or Death PR & Management. LED ER EST ANNOUNCES TOUR SHARES VIDEO FOR "KAIYO MARU" THE DIVER OUT NOW ON SACRED BONES  Photo courtesy of Nikki Sneakers Led Er Est emerged from a series of jam sessions that core members Sh

In the vein of A Certain Ratio or 23 Skidoo .  Via Bad Panda Records : Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

I don't have much information about Pony Trash , the psych pop band that will be releasing a 12" EP via a new label, The Old Blackberry Way .  I received a link to their single, "Submarine," and I really enjoyed the song, so I figured I'd post it.  I hope to have more info on the band at some point. Pony Trash is comprised of Neil Weir ( The Chambermaids, Sativa Flats, Devil on the Beach ), Chris Bierden ( Polica, Vampire Hands, Heavy Deeds ), Nate Nelson ( The Chambermaids, Private Dancer, STNNNG ) and Ollie Moltaji ( Gospel Gossip ).  <a href="http://ponytrash1.bandcamp.com/track/submarine">Submarine by Pony Trash</a> Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Liars   WIXIW Mute Released: 6.5.12 No Ripcord review Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Another new single from A Place To Bury Strangers , "And I'm Up."  Their new album, Worship , will be out June 26th.  All info comes courtesy of Dead Oceans. A Place To Bury Strangers Premiere New Track "And I'm Up" Announce Tour Dates and Record Release Show in July A Place To Bury Strangers have premiered the second single off their new album, Worship . The song is "And I'm Up" and is available at Consequence of Sound today. On "And I'm Up," Strangers apply their fuzzy filter to a song the grows out of a more straightforward pop sensibility. It's something singer Oliver Ackermann calls " that classic 50's vibe our parents grew up loving oh so much and then cramming down our throats through subliminal early life listening." Listen to "And I'm Up" The track starts off with a heavy back beat courtesy of longtime friend Cyrus Lubin , drummer for The Immaculates and head of Famous Class Re